Okay I'm now sufficiently lubricated. Apologies for the delay.
I'd hardly settled into the lounge for the first flight, just reaching for my first drink, when I saw people congregating in front of the telly. More major aftershocks in Christchurch - fortunately no early news of fatalities. My heart sank as I numbly wandered over to a computer searching for details while I called the office for word on whether to abandon the trip or not.
But I'm getting ahead of myself.